Fuel Cell Dilution Control for Idling Stop Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fuel cell systems, idling stop commands lead to inefficient air mass management, resulting in increased air wastage and reduced power generation efficiency due to premature purging, which increases fuel consumption.
Innovation Solution
A control method and system that judges the completion of hydrogen gas dilution in the fuel cell's hydrogen supply and circulation channels during idling stop, increasing air mass in the air discharge channel to accelerate dilution and calculate power production based on this increased air mass, thereby optimizing air supply and reducing wastage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If purge is performed during idling stop to dilute hydrogen gas, then hydrogen gas dilution is achieved, but air mass wastage increases and power generation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device determines whether purge is necessary before executing the idling stop. By checking if hydrogen gas concentration is above the threshold and if purge is in progress or not completed, the system performs the necessary dilution action before stopping power generation, preventing the need for wasteful air supply during idle stop
Solution Approach 2:
The control device continuously monitors the purge status and hydrogen gas concentration, using this feedback to make intelligent decisions about whether to allow idling stop. The system only permits idle stop when purge is complete or not needed, using real-time status information to avoid wasteful air supply while maintaining safety
2Speed
If air mass is increased to accelerate hydrogen gas dilution, then dilution speed is improved, but air supply wastage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines the necessary air mass increase in advance by checking purge status before idle stop execution. By calculating the minimum required air mass based on current hydrogen concentration and purge progress, the system supplies only the necessary amount of air rather than excessively increasing air mass
Solution Approach 2:
The control device dynamically adjusts the air mass parameter based on real-time purge status and hydrogen concentration. Instead of using a fixed high air mass setting, the system optimizes the air mass parameter to match the actual dilution needs, preventing both insufficient and excessive air supply
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach prevents wasteful air supply and maintains fuel efficiency by ensuring complete dilution of hydrogen gas, allowing the fuel cell to produce electric power efficiently and store excess power in an electrical storage system.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel cell producing electric power from chemical reactions of reactive gas
Implementation Method 2
This purged hydrogen gas is diluted in air in the reactive gas channel, and then discharged
Data Source
AI summary
The object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell system enabling an improvement in fuel consumption and a method for controlling thereof. A fuel cell system 1 includes a fuel cell 10, an air pump 21, an air supply channel, a hydrogen supply channel, a hydrogen tank, a hydrogen discharge channel, a hydrogen reflux channel, an air discharge channel, a purge valve 441, and a control device 30. The control device 30 includes a dilution judgment portion 31 judging whether dilution of hydrogen gas has been completed; an air increase portion 33 for increasing an air mass in the air discharge channel; a power production calculation portion 34 calculating an amount of power production based on the air mass increased; and a fuel cell drive portion 35 driving the fuel cell 10 to produce electric power to obtain the amount of power production calculated.